Backpack to Wildcat Camp in Point Reyes National Seashore! (Women Only)
Hello ladies! I’m so excited you are here!
This women’s only trip is designed for ladies that are looking for a balance of adventure and peace. Women that are eager to connect with feminine energy, and Mother Earth herself. A physical and emotional journey.
If you have never been backpacking or perhaps it has been some time since your last trip, this is the adventure for you. With such beautiful scenery, this location is highly sought after by backpackers. Lucky for you, we already took care of obtaining the required permits. Honestly you will want to come back year after year! Our group will take on a 5.5 mile hike into a premier backpacking location along one of the nicest stretches of trail in Northern California. Our destination is Wildcat Campground. This is considered environmental hike-in camping so there will be a picnic table, pit toilet and potable water at our site.
- It is required that participants will be capable of hiking 1.5 – 2.0 miles per hour carrying approximately 20 pounds. This will be an out and back hike. On our way out to camp it will be 830 foot elevation gain with a 1,046 foot loss. Our return trip with hopefully a bit of a lighter pack will be 1,046 elevation gain with 830 feet loss. This is considered a moderate hike.
Enjoy the ocean air, and sleep under the stars just a stones throw from the beach. This iconic location is the closest camp area to Alamere Falls which is a waterfall in Point Reyes National Seashore. It is a rare “tidefall”, a waterfall that flows directly into the ocean. It is one of only two known tidefalls in California, the other being McWay Falls. Although the falls are highly sought after by adventurous day hikers, it quiets down later in the afternoon and early mornings when the only people there are from Wildcat. It feels like a private beach.
This trip is intended for beginners, so we expect that you may not have everything you need for this first step in what we hope will be your next favorite hobby. We will get you geared up with all the backpacking necessities for a fun, safe and enjoyable backpacking retreat experience.
Travel Plans and Logistics
Parking spaces and required permits are limited. Joining this trip will require a carpool plan since there are limited parking permits. The meet up time for departure from the Sacramento area will be 7:00 AM on Wednesday, May 31st. * Estimated return time to Sacramento on Friday, June 2nd is 6:00 PM.
More information regarding meetup location and carpooling plans to follow upon registration.
Your investment will include building your backpacking knowledge skillset, all necessary basic backpacking gear, slowing down, a guided Forest Bathing experience in this beautiful location, self-care, opportunities to connect with other wild women, ocean vibes, fresh air, photos documenting the experience, and countless memories.
Sample Itinerary: (Is subject to change)
Day 1: Introductions, Hike In, Lunch on Trail, Set-Up Camp, Beach Trip with Women’s Circle, Dinner, Forest Bathing Mini Session, Watching the sunset, Journal *Possible Beach Fire with Women’s Circle.
Day 2: Sunrise at Alamere Falls, Breakfast, Emotion Coaching Session, Lunch, Self-Care / Ephemeral Nature Art / Forest Bathing, Dinner, Sunset, Women’s Circle, Journal
Day 3: Sunrise Mindfulness on the Beach, Journal, Breakfast, Pack-Up, Women’s Closing Circle, Hike Out, Lunch.
Meet Your Guide:
Monica Mendoza is our C.E.O (Chief Enjoyment Officer) of Grow Outside.
Hello there! I’m Monica, your personal guide. I have a love for outdoor recreation coupled with connecting to the natural world both physically and emotionally. I find nature as a safe container that does not bear judgment, is always there and ready to hold space for me. This retreat immerses my woven path of life as an emotion coach, backpacking guide, and Forest Therapy guide. As an emotion coach, I support people in finding balance in their present space of mind. With years of experience as a backpacking guide, my goal is for you to feel physically safe with step stones of finding your inner wild woman, a feminine source of fierceness and capability. This journey will focus on cultivating a space for both your body and mind to find balance and a natural rhythm. We start on a physical trail that is defined with weight on your shoulders (physically and perhaps mentally). As we move through this journey together we will use the surrounding natural elements to release that weight, to gain perspective and build connections with other women and the natural world.
I have had a love of nature since childhood and it has opened many doors to adventure. I appreciate bugs (yes bugs!), bike rides, kayaking, paddleboarding, outdoor youth education, sunsets and sunrises. Honestly any day I’m in nature comforts my soul. To foster my connection with the outdoors I started backpacking which filled my heart in more ways than I expected. I met my husband through my journey of going on my first solo backpacking trip. With a focus on deepening my relationship with the More-Than-Human World and slowing down, I became a certified Forest Therapy Guide where I guide participants in the practice of Forest Bathing. Forest Bathing is a slow and mindful experience of awakening your senses and connecting to nature through a series of “invitations.” Like a spider web that has many attachment points, I am also an emotion coach and a mom of three daughters. I love empowering women to feel capable, strong, wild and free. Favorite Trail Food: Anytime I can put my food in a tortilla, Watermelon Sour Patch Kids, and Marcona almonds with Rosemary from Trader Joes.
Gear Logistics
Our group will be led by professional guide, Monica Mendoza that will share knowledge, stories, and is Wilderness CPR & First Aid Certified.
The guide will bring:
- All Group Cooking Gear
- Stoves and Fuel
- First Aid Kit
- Emergency Satellite Transponder
Participants WILL BE PROVIDED:
- Backpack
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Tent (2 people per tent or single capacity…let us know.)
- Headlamp
- Nalgene (1L water container)
- Trekking Poles
- Bowl, Spoon, Cup
- Day 1: Dinner
- Day 2: Breakfast & Lunch
- ***Dietary accommodations must be communicated ahead of time***
- EPIC FUN
Participants will need to supply the following:
Personal Food Items
- Snacks / Candy
- Lunch on Day 1
Active / Adventure Wear
- Hiking boots or Tennis Shoes that have good traction (Be sure your shoes are broken in ahead of time)
- Hiking socks *2 pairs (lightweight for day use and warm pair for bed) – (synthetic or wool) My favorite socks are the brand, “Darn Tough”
- Hiking / Athletic pants or leggings
- Hiking/Athletic shorts (optional)
- T-shirts (1-2) – Dry fit technical shirts are best.
- Long sleeve shirt (lightweight, synthetic) – think warm and/or sun protection.
- Insulated jacket
- Rain jacket depending on weather
- Hat
- Beanie
Sleep Wear and Personal
- Base Layer Top and Bottoms (lightweight, synthetic or wool) – weather can go from warm to very cold.
- Bathing suits (optional) – no life guards, so swimming can be dangerous, so more for lounging purposes.
- Underwear
- Flip-flops / Sandals
Personal Items
- Hand sanitizer
- Bandana and/or pee rag
- Chapstick/Lip Balm
- Sunblock
- Insect Repellant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Travel toothbrush/paste
- Travel contact lenses and solution
- Prescription medications
- Allergy remedies
- Journal / book (optional)
- Small battery charger for phone (optional) – No signal is available at Wildcat Campground
Investment/ Energy Exchange: EARLY BIRD PRICING is $333.00 until May 7th (Symbolism of 333 carries a message of setting plans into action and letting your personal strength be the guide; to trust yourself and put thought into your choices.) After May12th the price increases to $350.00
Registration closes on Wednesday, May 24th at 11:45pm.
Cancellations/Refunds: If you need to cancel, a full refund will be provided up to two weeks prior to trip departure date. Cancellation notice with more than 1 week and less than two week’s notice will be provided a “trip credit.” Less than 1 week notice, no refunds or credits will be issued. All trips are rain or shine unless listed by the National Weather Service as Extreme Weather Warning. Refunds and or credits will be issued if the guide states the trip will be cancelled at any time. By booking the trip you agree to these terms.